Sens deal their superstar: 'We felt that now is the time to trade Erik Karlsson'

As the Ottawa Senators officially opened training camp Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre, two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson showed up to pack his bags after months of speculation ended when he was shown the way to San Jose. It’s a massive deal with the Sharks that could bring the Senators as many as eight assets.

While talks to deal Karlsson first started before last February’s trade deadline and heated up around free agency on July 1, general manager Pierre Dorion took action before the Senators could hit the ice Friday by dealing Karlsson and minor-league forward Francis Perron to the Sharks at approximately 2:30 p.m.

In return, the Senators will get a first-round pick in 2019 or 2020, centre Chris Tierney, a second-round pick in 2019 (the best of the two San Jose currently has), prospect centre Josh Norris, prospect Rudolfs Balcers and defenceman Dylan DeMelo.

The Senators will also receive a second-round pick in 2021 or a first-round pick. If the Sharks sign Karlsson or if the club reaches the Stanley Cup final, it will be automatically become a first-rounder. The club is also protected if Karlsson is dealt to an Eastern team this season. In the event that happens, Ottawa will receive San Jose’s top pick in 2021 or 2022.

In the end, the Senators felt this was the right move at the right time. With the club in a full rebuild, Dorion thought he could get good return for Karlsson and, after he turned down an eight-year deal believed to be worth $88 milllion on July 1, the reality was this was going to happen.

“These things are never easy,” Dorion said. “We know we’re in a rebuild now and we know this is the best thing in the plan and the rebuild for us to have success. We felt that now is the time to trade Erik Karlsson.”

Karlsson didn’t take part in the medicals and wasn’t at the rink until the afternoon when he got word the deal was done. He likely knew this day was coming with all the talk that had been going on for months, but when he met with the media he was emotional at the microphone.

“I’m just going to speak from the heart,” said Karlsson, who was taken No. 15 overall in the 2008 draft held in Ottawa. “I wish we were standing here during different circumstances. It’s a very emotional and sad day for me and my family. It’s an unfortunate part of the business.”

Karlsson said Ottawa would be his home “forever,” and thanked the organization, along with the late Bryan Murray and former team captain Daniel Alfredsson.

“It’s very unfortunate that I’m going to have to move on professionally,” Karlsson said. “I don’t think I ever, in my wildest imagination, ever thought that I would leave this place, but unfortunately we’re here under these circumstances.”

Dorion said he had been working on this deal for a long time and felt the timing was right. The Senators also held serious talks with the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, while there’s talk in league circles that the Columbus Blue Jackets also kicked the tires along with several other teams.

“This has been in the works for a while. We talked to multiple teams around draft time and after (July 1) trade talks heated up,” he said. “We didn’t feel (in July) we were getting the return for an Erik Karlsson-type of player. At this point, we definitely feel we got a very good return and six pieces that could end up being eight.”

Dorion told reporters in June “the dressing room was broken,” but he wasn’t pointing the finger at Karlsson for those issues.

“It wasn’t just about the captain, it was about everyone,” Dorion said. “We spoke about it (Tuesday) in our rebuild plan, we definitely know the room was broken, and that’s not always on one individual. We talked about that when I said that (in June), it was about the whole room being broken, and we didn’t want to point fingers at one person.”

And now life in Ottawa goes on without the captain.

“I was prepared to come here and work hard for this team,” Karlsson said. “I still have a year on my deal and, unfortunately, I couldn’t follow through.”

Ottawa Senators J.G. Pageau sits on the ground after getting injured performing a fitness test at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018.Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators J.G. Pageau performs a fitness test at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. Page was subsequently injured doing the same drill. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Stone walks the halls of the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018.Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan (L) talks with assistant coach Rob Cookson at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan on the treadmill at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Logan Brown having his official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan being photographed on ice at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018.Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Stone being photographed on ice at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018.Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Matt Duchene performing a fitness test at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk having his official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Borowiecki having his official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk prepares to have his official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Borowiecki having his official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson walks the halls of the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018.Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Thomas Chabot performing a fitness test at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan (L) talks with assistant coach Rob Cookson at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Stone walks the halls of the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators winger Bobby Ryan walks the halls of the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Ryan Dzingel speaks to the media at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Ottawa Senators Mark Borowiecki and Brady Tkachuk prepare to have their official photos taken at the Canadian Tire Centre on the first day of training camp. September 13, 2018. Errol McGihon/Postmedia

Share:

Photos: Ottawa Senators first day of training camp, without Erik Karlsson

The decision to deal Karlsson isn’t going over well in Ottawa. Not only was he the club’s best player, he was also one of the most popular to ever pull on the jersey, second only to Alfredsson. Nine years ago, on Sept. 12, 2009, the Senators dealt winger Dany Heatley to the Sharks on the first day of camp.

“I don’t think that I could have ever prepared for this,” Karlsson said. “I’ve still got to wrap my head around what’s going on. It’s been happening really fast.”

Less than a year away from unrestricted free agency, Karlsson, 28, isn’t coming off his best season, but he’s arguably still one the NHL’s best defencemen with 126 goals and 518 points in 627 games.

The decision to trade Karlsson signals that the organization is entering a full rebuild, and the captain may not be the last player out of the door before the work is completed.

“In our discussion with the Sharks, they were the first team that stepped up to what we looking for,” Dorion said. “We knew. There was no time constraint, and we knew we were going to do the best deal for the organization, and, with training camp (starting), we just felt now was the right time to move forward with this team.”

The Senators decided Thursday it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter.

HERE’S THE DEAL

TO THE SHARKS: Erik Karlsson and Francis Perron

WHAT THEY GOT

First-round pick in 2019 or 2020

Centre Chris Tierney, who could be pencilled into a second-line role this season

Second-round pick, 2019

Prospect Josh Norris, a centre who is strong in all three zones.

Prospect Rudolfs Balcers, who scored 23 goals in the minors last season.

Defenceman Dylan DeMelo. The Senators like him in the No. 5 or No. 6 role.

Conditional picks

Second-round pick in 2021 (potential first). If the Sharks sign Karlsson or reach the Stanley Cup final, it becomes a first-round pick.

The Senators will receive a first-round pick from the Sharks in 2021 or 2022 if Karlsson is traded to an Eastern team this season.

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.